Parishioners at St. Joan of Arc in San Ramon will return to their church home on Holy Saturday after worshipping in the parish hall since January. During their 11-week stay in the hall, the church’s interior underwent a major renovation to make it energy efficient and fully accessible for the disabled.

Overseeing the $600,000 project is Jesuit Father Tom Lucas, professor of art and design at the University of San Francisco. Father Lucas knows the parish well, having celebrated Sunday Masses there for the past 20 years.

Father Fred Riccio (left), pastor, and Jesuit Father Tom Lucas examine a piece of glass Father Lucas designed to be placed behind the statue of St. Joseph in the newly renovated St. Joan of Arc Church. DOMINIQUE MINTZ PHOTO

“This is not merely cosmetic redecoration,” wrote Father Fred Riccio, pastor, in a letter to parishioners. “It is a remarkable chance to transform our church to accommodate all and with liturgical designs consciously planned to focus our attention on the Eucharist and on the presence of the risen Christ in our modern world.”

When parishioners return to the church, they will see that the sanctuary area has been lowered five inches and a ramp added so those in wheelchairs can easily access the sanctuary.

The ambo or pulpit will be fully adjustable. A simple crank will permit easy raising and lowering of the reading table to accommodate children and those in wheelchairs.

The new baptismal font of limestone has been installed in the central aisle crossroads and the plastic window behind the altar has been replaced with clear and golden contemporary iridized art glass with an etching of the risen Christ.

There is new carpet, fresh paint, and energy efficient lighting. The shrines of Our Lady and St. Joseph have been refurbished and the Stations of the Cross have been reframed on stone panels to make them more prominent.

Parishioners have raised all of the needed funds with some surplus set aside for a second phase of renovation.